Chapter 28: Lucky Matilda

The inevitable was bound to come sooner or later.

Luca kept this in mind, wondering if he could find time to track the progress of Richie’s team formation. As a member of the Mafia, he couldn't openly join the police force, but he could provide assistance from the sidelines. Just like with the elimination of Joe, such "assistance" would be recorded by the system.

And those two skills Richie possessed—Luca was determined to have them!

The conversation then shifted to John McClane.

"McClane... he's practically a wreck," David said, shrugging. "That guy spends all day holed up in a church, drinking. He’s living in total decadence, and no one can talk any sense into him."

"A church? Is he even religious?"

"He just feels that if he hides there, trouble won't be able to find him."

"..."

That stung. A true SSR-tier card shouldn't be so degenerate. Big shots are always wounded by matters of the heart, I suppose. *Pull yourself together, man!*

On second thought, it might be a good thing. If McClane isn't in trouble, it means New York isn't facing any major crises. Otherwise, it would be constant terrorist attacks or urban chaos—the kind of large-scale disasters that make simple murder cases or drug wars look like child's play. In the face of terrorism, drug enforcement is nothing more than a minor squabble.

Luca wasn't confident he could handle such exaggerated threats; perhaps only an SSR card like McClane, with his built-in "Die Hard" aura and intense, individualistic heroism, could resolve them.

"Die Hard"—to fight to the end, to be indomitable. It was a skill Luca absolutely had to learn.

Towards the end of the meal, David brought up the current case. Of the five victims—Gluttony, Pride, Sloth, Lust, and Greed—the most famous was undoubtedly the female celebrity who represented "Pride." It was her murder that had escalated the situation. The wealthiest among them was Robbie, who represented "Greed."

"It's quite a coincidence, actually. Two stockbrokers have been killed in a row now," David said, looking puzzled. "One died in that previous sniper case, and now another in this religious-themed murder. And both of them were from Stratton Oakmont. Does the killer just have a thing for people from that firm?"

William shook his head. "Maybe it's because that firm has done too many wicked things and swindled too many people."

Luca: "..."

These twisted killers really were obsessed with picking on one company. Couldn't they choose a different target for once? With all these butterfly effects, it was a miracle that the "Wolf of Wall Street" was still alive. Speaking of which, he still needed money to acquire the club; he’d have to go pay him a visit to collect.

...

After the meal, everyone parted ways pleasantly.

"David, come to me whenever you need anything," Luca said, warmly shaking David’s hand. "In the Bronx, no criminal can escape under my watch. I guarantee you’ll find plenty of help here."

*You’re the criminal yourself...* David thought with a cynical chuckle, though he replied with a smile, "The people of New York will thank you for your contribution to peace, Mr. Ambassador of Peace."

Luca then looked at William. "If you ever need a job to earn your pension, come see me. I can arrange a decent-paying position for you."

William didn't refuse, but he didn't commit either. He replied politely, "If I ever do end up destitute, Luca, don't forget your promise."

After all, Luca was a mobster, and William, having his own moral bottom line, didn't want to get involved in criminal activities. If it were some legitimate work—even just a part-time job at a supermarket—William felt he could manage that.

The two left by taxi. As Luca watched the car disappear into the distance, his expression turned wistful. Two more lives had been altered because of him.

Though these people couldn't realize what might have happened otherwise, and perhaps even without Luca's interference, other butterfly effects would have pushed the plot off its original course—just like Robbie, who had been killed by Joe anyway—the trajectory of their fates had undeniably diverged at this moment, heading toward a completely different path.

It was a path whose destination even Luca couldn't foresee.

David didn't fall into the sin of Wrath, his wife hadn't died, and he had become a rising star in the police force. Jimmy and Pauly hadn't been betrayed and sent to prison, yet Henry, the traitor, was dead. Leon and Mathilda had been neighbors, but they had lost the chance to become soulmates. And so on... Luca had no idea what these people would become in the future.

And in the days to come, more fates would likely be changed. Luca was the greatest butterfly of all, the one flapping his wings to stir up a tornado.

At that moment, Luca felt his hand being gripped. He looked down to see Mathilda’s small face tilted up, her eyes filled with concern.

"Luca, you seem a bit melancholy. Are you going to miss them?" Mathilda held his hand tightly. "They’re gone, but I’m still here."

Luca crouched down to meet her gaze and smiled. "When there comes a day where you can no longer foresee what will happen, you’ll always feel a bit lost and out of your element. But your big brother is a very capable person; I have the confidence to face whatever the future brings."

He rarely shared his inner thoughts with anyone, as killers are always solitary and guarded. But in front of Mathilda, he was being honest.

Looking into Luca’s bright eyes, Mathilda felt closer to him than ever before. She seemed to see another side of this mobster—no longer shrouded in the thick fog that had previously hidden his true self. Now, a corner of that veil had been lifted.

She crinkled her eyes into a warm, comforted smile and patted Luca’s shoulder with an air of maturity.

"Isn't life inherently full of uncertainty? Who can truly predict the future? Before I met you, I never thought I’d be able to escape that nightmare of a home. You pulled me out of the mud and gave me a new life. I’m very, very happy now, really. I cherish this life."

"Luca, you’ve already done a great job. In my eyes, you’re the most amazing man in the world."

*Smack!* Mathilda kissed Luca on the cheek.

"That’s my trust in you. I believe that no matter what you do in the future, you will succeed."

"Whoa, my Goddess of Luck has bestowed a luck aura upon me! That's fantastic. I should go buy a lottery ticket."

"Hahaha, use my birthday! You’ll definitely win!"

Luca grinned, silently noting the kid's birthday: December 25th, Christmas Day. But that was still far off; it was only early May. Speaking of which, Mathilda would be on break soon.

"When your break starts, where do you want to go? I'll take you to visit some other cities."

"I want to follow you and become a Mafia."

"..."

Luca was speechless for a moment. This kid, day in and day out... He narrowed his eyes and reached down to grab Mathilda’s shoelaces. "Your laces are loose. Let me help you."

Mathilda ruffled Luca’s hair with both hands, petting him like a cat, and spoke with anticipation.

"Luca, I want to become someone like you when I grow up, someone who is respected wherever they go... What nickname do you think I should give myself? You’re 'Pigeon Luca,' so how about 'Lucky Mathilda'? What do you think? Peace plus Luck?"

"Not bad."

Luca clapped his hands and stood up, bowing elegantly and extending a hand as if inviting her to dance. "Then, Ms. Lucky Mathilda, let me see just how lucky you really are."

Mathilda instinctively took a step forward, but her feet tangled. Luca had tied her laces together. She stumbled, about to fall. Luca was quick to react; he scooped the tiny girl up and hoisted her onto his back.

Mathilda fussed, ruffling his hair. "You’re such a child, always playing pranks."

"Hahaha, looks like you aren't so lucky after all."

"But I didn't fall, did I? I knew you’d catch me." Mathilda wrapped her arms around Luca’s neck. "Luca, actually, my greatest luck was meeting you."

Luca froze for a split second. He suddenly realized that he had appeared by Mathilda’s side like a miracle... *Oh... so that’s how your luck aura works, is it?*

He smiled with contentment. "The day I met you was my lucky day, too."